
Last week, ELLE’s 2025 Women of Impact event spotlighted transformative female leaders, Melinda French Gates and Jacinda Ardern, for a powerful dialogue on imposter syndrome, motherhood, and the value of vulnerability in leadership. The event, coinciding with French Gates’ release of The Next Day and Ardern’s forthcoming A Different Kind of Power, was a testament to the power of purpose-driven storytelling and collaboration.
As part of the 2025 Women of Impact series, this year celebrated diverse pathways toward leadership and global influence, featuring heartfelt discussions on the power of kindness, empathy, and breaking traditional leadership stereotypes. Melinda Gates highlighted the critical role of storytelling and female friendships in fostering courage and collective growth. Ardern emphasized re-framing leadership styles to prioritize empathy and curiosity.
A prestigious guest list with other influential women, including Hillary Clinton, Alexis McGill Johnson, and Reshma Saujani, amplified the event’s focus on community-driven progress. The celebration also featured networking moments that inspired attendees to explore personal paths to meaningful societal influence.
Visit ELLE’s Women of Impact platform for a deeper dive into this community of visionaries redefining leadership and impact for generations to come.